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Cover Letters That Cover Everything: Getting Companies to Respond
- 1. Cover Letters That CoverEverything
- 2. Career Advising & DevelopmentCenter Staff Tanya White-Earnest Manager Trident University International Career Advising and Development
- 3.
- 4. Cover Letters ThatCover Everything Getting Companies To Respond Presented by Tanya White-Earnest
- 5. Agenda • Answers toyour questions about cover letters • The various types of cover letters • The four essential elements of a great cover letter • The formula for increasing your odds of getting the interview In today’s webinar we will discuss:
- 6. Types of Letters •Letter of Application: applying for specific opening – Following personal meeting – For advertised positon • Letter of Inquiry: expressing interest in an organization when there may not be an opening – Employment possibilities – Internship opportunities
- 7. Types of Letters •Information-Seeking • Follow-up
- 8. POLL QUESTION A coverletter is absolutely required to apply for most jobs: True/False
- 9. Your Questions • “DoI really need a cover letter?” • “Is it important to address the letter to someone?” • “Will anyone read my cover letter?” • “Doesn’t my cover letter just tell them what is in my resume?” • “Do I need more than one cover letter?”
- 10. Tips • Know whyyou are sending the letter: – Introduce yourself (beyond skills and qualifications) – Get them to review your resume – Create a call to action • Keep it short, simple, and sweet – Generally one page – Don’t make excuses
- 11. Tips • Grab theirattention right away – Choose language that paints a vivid picture – Don’t try to tell them everything • Talk about what you can do for them – This isn’t about you, it’s your contribution – Use concrete examples – Be focused
- 12. Tips • Tailor yourletter to the industry, company, reader – Use what you learned in your research • Review, Review, Review, then Review Again! – Put it aside and come back to it – Have someone else review it – Read backwards – Does it represent you in the best light?
- 13. POLL QUESTION What percentageof Recruiters/HR Managers/Hiring Managers actually read a cover letter? 1% 14% 27% 50%
- 14. “Why don’t recruiters read coverletters?” • To often cover letters are: – Poorly written/Difficult to read – A regurgitation of the resume – Unfocused – Lacking additional value – TMII – Self-promoting – A waste of time for the reader
- 15. The 4-Paragraph Letter • Forthe cover letter, there are four main paragraphs to use: – First, why are you writing – which job are you applying for, be specific – Second, what you bring to the table, BRIEFLY describe your qualifications – Third, (almost most important) why do you want to work for THEM specifically. What draws you to the company? – Call to action: how can they contact you, when are your available, etc. Tell them you expect to speak with them
- 16. Engaging Example Make your coverletter both unique and memorable. • Dry Entry: My name is ______, and I am a sophomore at _____ College/University who is interested in working in the sport’s industry. • Engaging Entry: My childhood days were spent playing baseball late into the summer nights and football upon a fresh blanket of snow. Engagement in sports is an integral part of my identity, and this core belief creates a desire to work in the sports industry. Example provided by Timothy James Curley of Babson College Career Services
- 17. Formula R + A+ CE + C + C = Employer Interest Relevant Accomplishments Concrete Examples Contribution Connection
- 18. Questions What questions do youhave about Cover Letters?
- 19. Next Week Join usnext week for: Who Are You in 30 Seconds or Less? • Can you intrigue and entice someone to want to know more about you in 30 seconds or less? When you are on the job hunt, you sometimes have very little time to convey what you can do for a company. So you need a complete, concise, composed, compelling “elevator speech” ready to go at moment’s notice. Join us to learn how to compose one that helps you stand out from the crowd.
- 20. Thank You! We appreciateyou joining us today for: Cover Letters That Cover Everything We hope you enjoyed and learned something new from the session Watch for the email containing the link to the recording and the Slideshare for today’s webinar Please be sure to leave your comments and suggestions as you log out See you next time!